THE USE OF ADDRESS FORMS AND POLITENESS IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

The aims of this research are to know the types of address forms in intercultural communication, what address forms are dominantly used and what factors motivating their use. This research was conducted in Mataram area. The participants were focused on those who are originally Sasak and Bimanese living in Mataram for years. Observation and recording were techiques used in getting the data. It was found that six (6) types of address forms were used in intercultural communication, 1. Personal pronouns (53%); 2. Kinship (kinship only, kinship plus occupation, kinship plus title and kinship plus nick name) (25%); 3. Personal names (Full name and nick name) (13%); 4. Title terms (title only/ title of occupation, title of rank, title of religious and other titles) (5%); 5. No-naming/zero address terms (4%); and 6. Third person’s name marker (1%). Most of address forms used were Indonesian address forms. It could be seen from the data findings in 5 (five) types of address forms (proper/personal names were excluded). The findings showed, address forms in indonesian were found in personal pronouns for 85%, kinship terms were 44%, titles were 76%, no-naming/zero address terms were 17% and third person’s name markers were 17%. The data research also showed the two main factors motivating the use of address forms were social status (religious status) and educational level, and the two factors was closely related to politeness.

Key word: Address Forms, Politeness, Culture, Intercultural Communication